Trip Guernsey - St.Malo

Sunday June 19, 2011: to St.Malo

Sam and I cleaned the boat on Saturday evening and prepared for the last part to St.Malo.
We had calculated that we could leave the Marina basin at 08:48 because then there would be enough water over the threshold (or sill as it is called officially).
On Sunday morning Sam was the first to congratulate me with my 64ththbirthday.
We made a last check on the weather and it appeared that the crossing t St. Malo was possible: Westerly wind, force expected to be 20 knots with 3 meter waves, later diminishing wind till 12 knots.
So, we were quite happy when at 09:00 AM we passed the sill as it felt we were regaining our freedom after being forced inside the basin for three days.
We sailed perfectly and Sam registered the highest speed till now: 8,2 knots, which is maybe not fast for a modern ship, but for the Boekanier it is fast.
The current however was against us most of the day. Eventually we calculated that we had lost some 11 miles because of the current.
I received a lot of telephone calls with congratulations and my grandchildren song for me “Happy Birthday” through the telephone.

In the meanwhile Oscar and Monique travelled the whole day by train (Thalys and TGV) and arrived at 6 pm in St. Malo. At the information desk they asked if there were ferries to Guernsey that evening, so they could surprise the skipper and crew of the Boekanier. Unfortunately that was not possible and after a long search they found a hotel for the night.

By midday the wind reduced to only 5 knots so we had to start the motor in order to be in time in St.Malo. I had given our ETA of 21:00 at the lock in St.Malo.
By the time we were 10 miles from St. Malo the wind increased however from the wrong direction and brought us a horrible rain and no visibility.
In pouring rain we found the entrance of the approach channel to St.Malo
At exactly 21:00 we arrived at the lock. There we heard the voice from Monique and we took them on board on a pontoon, next to the lock. Of course two French officials came to tell that it was “interdit”, but good Dutch sailors just ignore that kind of nonsense..

Monique and Oscar enjoyed a French breakfast at a terrace and explored St. Malo and its outskirts for the rest of the day. At ca. 9 pm they decided to go the locks and there they saw the Boekanier!!!!

We will keep you updated.
Cees and Sam.